Chapter 246: Good Sister-in-law

Chapter 246: Good Sister-in-law

Upon hearing Qin Shaojing's name, Cheng Qi was so startled that he spit out the tea he was drinking.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

"Take it easy, Second Uncle," Lu Lingyun said, seeing Cheng Qi's intense reaction. She called a maid over to give him a handkerchief and help him calm down.

After a bout of coughing, Cheng Qi looked up and quickly glanced at Lu Lingyun. "I'm okay, Sister-in-law."

"Don't think I'm prying, but Huihui has been on my case lately, saying you've been coming home late, and she's worried about where you've been." Lu Lingyun said, sipping her tea leisurely.

Hearing Cheng Hui's name, Cheng Qi felt a bit apologetic. "Sorry for giving you trouble with Huihui."

"It's nothing. Since you both bear the Cheng name, you're family to me. In a family, helping each other out is expected. There's no trouble to speak of."

Hearing this, Cheng Qi felt a warmth in his heart.

Truth be told, ever since they came to the Marquis's Mansion, the person who had been the kindest to the two of them was Lu Lingyun.

The old Marquis, their relative, was often not in the mansion. Even when he was, as an elder, he wouldn't interfere too much with them.

But Lu Lingyun, who managed the household affairs of the Marquis's Mansion, often looked out for the siblings. Her younger sister never lacked for clothes, accessories, food, or even maids to attend to her. Lu Lingyun never treated them as outsiders and personally took care of her upbringing.

As for him, Lu Lingyun had also given him new fabric to make new clothes.

His sister-in-law was truly beyond reproach.

"Sister-in-law, I truly appreciate everything you do for us."

"Cut the flattery. If you really appreciate me, just treat me like family," Lu Lingyun said with a smile. "I have to ask though, why does someone as busy as you keep sending people for Shaojing every day?"

As the conversation unfolded, Cheng Qi let down his guard. "It was some time ago when the city gate was locked, and she was left outside. I happened to run into her."

"And after that, she asked you to help her send people every day?"

"Yes." Cheng Qi nodded.

He knew it was against the rules, but it was Qin Shaojing who asked him.

With just one glance and a call of 'Brother Cheng Qi,' how could he say no?

Lu Lingyun observed Cheng Qi, the young man slightly lowering his head, his eyes lighting up when he mentioned Qin Shaojing.

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The Cheng family really does produce hopeless romantics.

Cheng Yunshuo was one, and now Cheng Qi was too.

Cheng Yunshuo, with his straightforward nature, would rush headlong into love without thinking. It seemed Cheng Qi was the same.

Tapping her fingers on the table, she said slowly, "Second Uncle, Shaojing isn't your average woman. She comes from a noble family and has ambitions far greater than other women."

Hearing this, Cheng Qi responded without hesitation, "I know."

As he said this, his eyes were filled with ambition and aspirations.

Lu Lingyun was momentarily at a loss for words seeing Cheng Qi so full of determination.

Even if he rises to the position of Commander, Qin Shaojing still wouldn't give him a second glance!

Qin Shaojing isn’t interested in ordinary people; she only has eyes for those from prestigious families!

If she marries, it will be into a family with deep roots, a grand household, and a powerful aristocratic lineage. She wouldn’t even glance at those shallow literati who manage to become high-ranking officials.

There’s a natural divide between noble families and ordinary civil officials.

Civil officials can rise to high ranks and become capable ministers, but they lack the deep-rooted heritage. Even if one generation attains the rank of a third-grade official, their descendants must still pass the imperial exams to enter officialdom, relying on strong luck and opportunity just to maintain a bit of glory. If anything is missing, the next generation can fall far from the previous one.

Even through marriage alliances, due to their shallow roots, they can only marry into families with similar backgrounds, making it difficult to establish a new family.

But noble families are different.

Especially those of dukes and marquises, who are entitled to hereditary titles for at least three generations. Three generations are enough to establish a family, and if one generation is a bit more capable, they can continue the family's glory.

Even if the descendants aren’t outstanding and just live off the family's old wealth, they can still sustain the family for five generations. Even when they fall, they won’t end up like rootless duckweed, as civil official families often do, returning to common status.

Noble children can enter exclusive departments through various means, like joining the Imperial Guards or serving as city defense officers. If all else fails, they can return to the place where their ancestors rose to power, which will have avenues left for the descendants.

‘Roots’ may not be immediately apparent, but their value is immeasurable.

It’s nearly impossible for a single person to compete with families that have amassed wealth and status over generations.

"Second Uncle has great ambitions. He will achieve extraordinary success in the future," Lu Lingyun praised him, not wanting to dampen his spirits.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law," Cheng Qi replied, rising to salute Lu Lingyun. Full of confidence, he exchanged a few more words with Lu Lingyun before striding out.

Lu Lingyun twirled the teacup lid in the room, her eyes deep in thought.

"Send someone to notify Dong Sheng to keep an eye on the East Courtyard of the Marquis’s Mansion over the next two days."

"Yes."

She didn’t care what Qin Shaojing was up to, but the East Courtyard of the Marquis’s Mansion was part of her domain. She needed to know immediately if anything happened there.

Two days later.

There were no significant movements in the East Courtyard, but Cheng Yunshuo's injuries had healed.

He had been recuperating in the Xiaohe Courtyard these past few days, and his relationship with Du Ruo had been improving.

They no longer quarreled, and Du Ruo was especially gentle, wishing she could bare her entire heart to Cheng Yunshuo.

"I'm going out today," Cheng Yunshuo said once he had recovered.

"Where to?" Du Ruo asked hurriedly.

"To meet some former colleagues," Cheng Yunshuo replied. His mind was on his duties. He needed to inquire about the latest developments.

He couldn’t stay idle at home forever.

Other than accompanying Du Ruo, he had nothing else to do. Playing with pets or going out for fun was no longer appealing without companions or interest.

It was better to check on the progress of his duties.

Since Cheng Yunshuo was going to attend to serious matters, Du Ruo didn’t try to keep him. She thoughtfully helped him change into his clothes, "Master, please come back soon."

"I will," Cheng Yunshuo said, giving her a smile and a pat on the head, "I'll bring you some dried fruits you like."

"Good!"

Cheng Yunshuo led the servant out the door and headed straight to the house of Li, the Imperial Guards leader.

He remembered that Li was on leave today.

At the tavern.

Cheng Yunshuo treated Li to a meal.

"Li, how’s the Imperial Guard been lately?"

"Same as always," Li said between bites, "patrolling every day, nothing major happened."

Cheng Yunshuo nodded.

Before he could ask more, Li added, "By the way, there were quite a few things that happened after you left, especially regarding Lady Bishuo."

Hearing the name Bishuo, Cheng Yunshuo couldn't help but tense up. "What happened to her?"

"The rumor about her clothes being torn wasn't true. It was just some gossip spread by the maidservant. It wasn't that serious; someone just pulled her, but it was exaggerated into a street brawl. I should’ve checked more thoroughly; I caused you to misunderstand your concubine."

Cheng Yunshuo frowned slightly upon hearing this. He already knew this; Lu Lingyun had cleared it up ages ago. "It's fine."

"Still, Lady Bishuo got caught up in it. She lost her pay and was kicked out of the palace."